Index of usability for a replacement payment card

ABSTRACT

A method for establishing an index of usability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. The method may include receiving a payment card replacement request in a vending facility. The method may further include identifying at least one possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The method may further include establishing an index of usability for the replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of the index of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The method may also include storing the established index of usability in a database.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates, generally, to the field of computing, andmore particularly to payment card replacement systems.

A payment card may be an item that allows a user to purchase goods orservices through an electronic funds transfer. Typically, a payment cardutilizes a magnetic stripe, or a microchip for smart payment cards, toprocess transactions between the user and a retailer. Additionally, manypayment cards include embossed information, such as the cardholder'sname, expiration date, and card number conforming to the ISO/IEC 7812numbering standard. Furthermore, various types of payment cards existthat are distinguishable based on the features each type of payment cardprovides, such as a credit card, a debit card, a charge card, anautomatic teller machine (ATM) card, a store-valued card, a fleet card,or a gift card.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment, a method for establishing an index ofusability associated with a replacement payment card is provided. Themethod may include receiving a payment card replacement request in avending facility. The method may further include identifying at leastone possible risk factor associated with a user utilizing thereplacement payment card. The method may also include creating a riskassessment based on the at least one identified possible risk factor.The method may further include establishing an index of usability forthe replacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby avalue of the index of usability correlates to a plurality ofrestrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The methodmay also include storing the established index of usability in adatabase.

According to another embodiment, a computer system for establishing anindex of usability associated with a replacement payment card isprovided. The computer system may include one or more processors, one ormore computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readable tangiblestorage devices, and program instructions stored on at least one of theone or more storage devices for execution by at least one of the one ormore processors via at least one of the one or more memories, wherebythe computer system is capable of performing a method. The method mayinclude receiving a payment card replacement request in a vendingfacility. The method may further include identifying at least onepossible risk factor associated with a user utilizing the replacementpayment card. The method may also include creating a risk assessmentbased on the at least one identified possible risk factor. The methodmay further include establishing an index of usability for thereplacement payment card based on the created assessment, whereby avalue of the index of usability correlates to a plurality ofrestrictions placed on using the replacement payment card. The methodmay also include storing the established index of usability in adatabase.

According to yet another embodiment, a computer program product forestablishing an index of usability associated with a replacement paymentcard is provided. The computer program product may include one or morecomputer-readable storage devices and program instructions stored on atleast one of the one or more tangible storage devices, the programinstructions executable by a processor. The computer program product mayinclude program instructions to receive a payment card replacementrequest in a vending facility. The computer program product may furtherinclude program instructions to identify at least one possible riskfactor associated with a user utilizing the replacement payment card.The computer program product may also include program instructions tocreate a risk assessment based on the at least one identified possiblerisk factor. The computer program product may further include programinstructions to establish an index of usability for the replacementpayment card based on the created assessment, whereby a value of theindex of usability correlates to a plurality of restrictions placed onusing the replacement payment card. The computer program product mayalso include program instructions to store the established index ofusability in a database.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other objects, features and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed descriptionof illustrative embodiments thereof, which is to be read in connectionwith the accompanying drawings. The various features of the drawings arenot to scale as the illustrations are for clarity in facilitating oneskilled in the art in understanding the invention in conjunction withthe detailed description. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary networked computer environment accordingto at least one embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an operational flowchart illustrating a card replacementrequest process according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 3 is an operational flowchart illustrating a card replacementredemption process according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 4 is an operational flowchart illustrating an index of usabilityestablishment process according to at least one embodiment;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of process steps executed by a user, anautomatic teller machine, and a payment authorization system accordingto at least one embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of internal and external components ofcomputers and servers depicted in FIG. 1 according to at least oneembodiment;

FIG. 7 depicts a cloud computing environment according to an embodimentof the present invention; and

FIG. 8 depicts abstraction model layers according to an embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed embodiments of the claimed structures and methods are disclosedherein; however, it can be understood that the disclosed embodiments aremerely illustrative of the claimed structures and methods that may beembodied in various forms. This invention may, however, be embodied inmany different forms and should not be construed as limited to theexemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these exemplaryembodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough andcomplete and will fully convey the scope of this invention to thoseskilled in the art. In the description, details of well-known featuresand techniques may be omitted to avoid unnecessarily obscuring thepresented embodiments.

Embodiments of the present invention are related to the field ofcomputing, and more particularly to payment card replacement systems.The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method,and program product to, among other things, provide an efficient methodof replacing a physical payment card to a user. Therefore, the presentembodiment has the capacity to improve the technical field of businessdata processing by implementing an alternate system replacing a physicalpayment card that is lost, stolen, destroyed, or otherwise unavailableto the user, other than mailing or shipping the replacement payment cardto the user.

As previously described, a payment card may be an item that allows auser to purchase goods or services through an electronic funds transfer.Typically, a payment card utilizes a magnetic stripe, or a microchip forsmart payment cards, to process transactions between the user and aretailer. Additionally, many payment cards include embossed information,such as the cardholder's name, expiration date, and card numberconforming to the ISO/IEC 7812 numbering standard. Furthermore, varioustypes of payment cards exist that are distinguishable based on thefeatures each type of payment card provides, such as a credit card, adebit card, a charge card, an automatic teller machine (ATM) card, astore-valued card, a fleet card, or a gift card.

Due to loss or fraudulent charges, a payment card may occasionallyrequire replacement by an issuing company. Typically, when a paymentcard is to be replaced, mail or expedited shipping is utilized todeliver a replacement payment card to the affected card owner in a shortperiod of time, such as one to two business days. However, the exactreplacement time may be negatively impacted by various circumstances,such as the card owner travelling during the replacement period orweather delays affecting shipping routes. As such, it may beadvantageous to, among other things, implement a system that utilizes avending facility, such as an ATM, to verify a card owner's identity andprovide the verified card holder with a replacement payment card.

According to one embodiment, a payment card replacement system mayutilize a known two-factor authentication system to validate a cardholder's identity. The two-factor authentication system is a process ofconfirming a card holder's identity through two components, such asthrough information only the user knows and an item only the userpossesses. Common usage of two-factor authentication is seen when anindividual withdraws cash from an ATM. In such a situation, the itemonly the user would possess is the user's payment card and theinformation only the user would know is the user's pin. Once theidentity of the card holder is authenticated, the card holder may beprovided with a unique, extended pin number and the location of a nearbyvending facility, such as an ATM. The user may input the provided pinnumber to the ATM, which is enabled to verify the user-entered pinnumber, link a payment card number associated with a payment cardphysically stored in the ATM, and dispense the physical payment card.Therefore, the card holder may obtain a temporary or permanentreplacement payment card within an efficient period of time that may notbe capable through mailing or expedited shipping methods.

The following described exemplary embodiments provide a system, method,and program product that provides a user with a replacement payment cardthrough a vending facility upon validating the user's identity through atwo-factor authentication method. Furthermore, the present embodimentmay facilitate the real-time dynamic credit value addition to atemporary card based on wearable technologies placed within apreconfigured proximity to the temporary card.

Referring to FIG. 1 , an exemplary networked computer environment 100 isdepicted, according to at least one embodiment. The networked computerenvironment 100 may include a client computing device 102A, 102B and aserver 112 interconnected via a communication network 114. According toat least one implementation, the networked computer environment 100 mayinclude a plurality of client computing devices 102A, 102B, of whichonly two are shown for illustrative brevity. According to at least oneimplementation, the networked computer environment 100 may include aplurality of servers 112, of which only one of which is shown forillustrative brevity.

The communication network 114 may include various types of communicationnetworks, such as a wide area network (WAN), local area network (LAN), atelecommunication network, a wireless network, a public switched networkand/or a satellite network. The communication network 114 may includeconnections, such as wire, wireless communication links, or fiber opticcables. It may be appreciated that FIG. 1 provides only an illustrationof one implementation and does not imply any limitations with regard tothe environments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environments may be made based on designand implementation requirements.

The client computing device 102A may include a processor 104 and a datastorage device 106 that is enabled to host and run a software program108, in accordance with embodiments of the invention. The clientcomputing device 102A, 102B is enabled to host and run a quick cardreplacement program 110A, 110B and communicate with the server 112 viathe communication network 114, in accordance with one embodiment of theinvention. The client computing device 102A, 102B may be, for example, amobile device, a telephone, a personal digital assistant, a netbook, alaptop computer, a tablet computer, a desktop computer, or any type ofcomputing device capable of running a program and accessing a network.Furthermore, the client computing device 102B may be a vending facilitycapable of storing and dispensing a physical replacement payment card toa user. As will be discussed with reference to FIG. 6 , the clientcomputing device 102A, 102B may include internal components 602 a andexternal components 604 a, respectively.

The server computer 112 may be a laptop computer, netbook computer,personal computer (PC), a desktop computer, or any programmableelectronic device or any network of programmable electronic devicescapable of hosting and running a quick card replacement program 110C, adatabase 116, and a payment and authorization system 118 andcommunicating with the client computing device 102A, 102B via thecommunication network 114, in accordance with embodiments of theinvention. As will be discussed with reference to FIG. 6 , the servercomputer 112 may include internal components 602 b and externalcomponents 604 b, respectively. The server 112 may also operate in acloud computing service model, such as Software as a Service (SaaS),Platform as a Service (PaaS), or Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS). Theserver 112 may also be located in a cloud computing deployment model,such as a private cloud, community cloud, public cloud, or hybrid cloud.The cloud computing environment will be discussed in further detailbelow with respect to FIGS. 7 and 8 .

According to the present embodiment, the quick card replacement program110A-C may be a program capable of validating the identity of a userwishing to receive a replacement payment card, locating a vendingfacility capable of dispensing a physical replacement payment card tothe user, assigning data associated with the replacement payment card toan account associated with the requesting user, and dispensing thephysical replacement card to the validated user. According to variousimplementations of the present embodiment, the quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110B, 110C may interact with the database 116 that may beembedded in various storage devices, such as the client computing device102A, 102B, a networked server 112, or a cloud storage service. Thequick card replacement method is explained in further detail below withrespect to FIGS. 2 and 3 .

Referring now to FIG. 2 , an operational flowchart illustrating a cardreplacement request process 200 is depicted, according to at least oneembodiment. At 202, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110Creceives a card replacement request. When the user's card is lost,stolen, fraudulently compromised, or otherwise made unavailable to theuser, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C may receive the cardreplacement request from the user through various user requestsubmissions. For example, the user may call a credit authorizer (e.g.credit card company) responsible for managing the user's card andrequest a replacement card. Similarly, the user may request areplacement card through a graphical user interface of a mobileapplication on the client computing device 102A.

Then, at 204, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110Cauthenticates the identity of the user based on submitted usercredentials. The quick card replacement program 110A, 110C may utilizeknown authentication methods, such as passphrases, to authenticate theuser's identity. For example, when the user submits a request for areplacement payment card, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110Cmay prompt the user to provide the correct answer to one or morepreconfigured user identification questions, such as the user's mother'smaiden name or the name of the user's first pet.

Next, at 206, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C identifies avending facility (e.g. client computing device 102B) within apreconfigured distance to the geographic location of the user device(e.g. client computing device 102A). Once the quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110C authenticates the user's identity, the quick cardreplacement program 110A, 110C may locate a vending facility, such as anautomatic teller machine, nearest to the user's current geographiclocation that is capable of providing the user with a physicalreplacement payment card. The quick card replacement program 110A, 110Cmay utilize known global positioning system technology within the clientcomputing device 102A to determine the current location of the nearestvending facility. In at least one embodiment, multiple vendingfacilities near the user's geographic location may be identified toallow the user to choose the desired vending facility to obtain areplacement physical payment card.

Then, at 208, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C transmitsthe geographic location of the identified vending facility to the userdevice. Once the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C identifiesthe vending facility, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C maytransmit the location to the user device. The quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110C may then display the location of the identifiedvending facility on a map on the display screen of the client computingdevice 102A. In at least one embodiment, if the quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110C has identified multiple vending facilities within thepreconfigured distance of the user device, the quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110C may display the identified vending facilities on theuser device display screen and allow the user to select the preferredvending facility at which the user wishes to obtain the replacementphysical payment card.

Next, at 210, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C generates anextended claim pin number. The extended claim pin number may be aunique, single-use number for the user to redeem in exchange for thereplacement physical payment card. The extended claim pin may be analphanumeric sequence of characters of a preconfigured length generatedby the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C once the user hassubmitted a card replacement request and been authenticated by the quickcard replacement program 110A, 110C. For example, the quick cardreplacement program 110A, 110C may generate the extended claim pin of“1A2B3C” once a user has validated the user's identity using the knownauthentication techniques. In at least one embodiment, the quick cardreplacement program 110A, 110C may generate multiple extended claim pinnumbers, only one of which may allow for the redemption of a replacementphysical payment card. When a user comes within a threshold distance ofa predetermined vending facility (e.g. the nearest automatic tellermachine), the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C may present theextended claim pin number to the user. In another embodiment, theextended claim pin number may expire within a preconfigured period oftime. For example, the user may be required to redeem the extended claimpin number within two hours of the extended claim pin number beingtransmitted to the user device.

Then, at 212, the quick card replacement program 110A, 110C transmitsthe extended claim pin number to the user device. Once generation of theextended claim pin number is complete, the quick card replacementprogram 110A, 110C may transmit the extended claim pin number to theuser device so the user may be able to redeem the extended claim pinnumber for a replacement physical payment card. Furthermore, the quickcard replacement program 110A, 110C may create an authorized claimrecord within a payment and authorization system 118 for subsequentretrieval and user verification of the card replacement requestinformation needed when the user redeems the extended claim pin numberat the vending facility.

Referring now to FIG. 3 , an operational flowchart illustrating a cardreplacement redemption process 300 is depicted, according to at leastone embodiment. At 302, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110Creceives a pin redemption request. Once the user receives the locationof the identified vending facility and the generated extended claim pinnumber, the user may proceed to the identified vending facility toredeem the generated extended claim pin number and receive a replacementpayment card. Upon arriving at the identified vending facility, the usermay submit a pin redemption request on the graphical user interfaceassociated with the vending facility (i.e. client computing device102B). The quick card replacement program 110B, 110C may receive theuser-submitted pin redemption request in the vending facility.

Then, at 304, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C receives anextended claim pin number and a personal code submitted by a user. Oncethe quick card replacement program 110B, 110C receives the pinredemption request, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C mayprompt the user to manually submit the extended claim pin number and theuser's personal pin number as a validation of the user's identity. Theuser's personal pin number may be a preconfigured, user-specificalphanumeric code or phrase used to verify the user's identity. Forexample, if a user is attempting to receive a replacement debit cardfrom an ATM, the user may submit the user's four-digit ATM pin numberfollowed by the extended claim pin number the user received from thequick card replacement program 110A-C when placing the card replacementrequest during the card replacement request process 200. In at least oneembodiment, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C may receivethe extended claim pin number through a radio frequency transmissionfrom the user device to the vending facility.

Next, at 306, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C validatesthe user-submitted extended claim pin number and the user pin code. Thequick card replacement program 110B, 110C may validate theuser-submitted extended claim pin and user pin code to determine theuser's identity. The quick card replacement program 110B, 110C may usethe extended claim pin as an index to identify the authorized claimrecord stored within the payment and authorization system 118. Forexample, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C may search thepayment and authorization system 118 for an authorized claim record whena user-submitted extended claim pin number is entered through a userinterface or a graphical user interface associated with the vendingfacility. Once the authorized claim record is located within the paymentand authorization system 118, the quick card replacement program 110B,110C may compare the user information within the authorized claim recordto the user information associated with the user-submitted pin number toverify the identity of the user submitting the redemption request.

Then, at 308, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C records thepayment card pin number associated with the physical replacement paymentcard in the database 116. Once the extended claim pin number is redeemedand the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C verifies the userinformation associated with the user's personal pin number and theauthorized claim record match, the quick card replacement program 110B,110C may record the pin number associated with the physical payment cardwithin the vending facility. For example, if the user is requesting areplacement credit card from the vending facility, the quick cardreplacement program 110B, 110C may record the 16-digit number embossedon the surface of the replacement credit card. The pin number associatedwith the physical payment card may be recorded to the account associatedwith the user in the payment and authorization system 118 sotransactions made with the replacement physical payment card may beassociated with the user.

Next, at 310, the quick card replacement program 110B, 110C dispensesthe replacement physical payment card to the user. Once the pin numberassociated with the replacement physical payment card has been recordedto the payment and authorization system 118 so the replacement physicalpayment card is associated with the user, the quick card replacementprogram 110B, 110C, via the vending facility, may dispense thereplacement physical payment card to the user. For example, in theprevious hypothetical, once the quick card replacement program 110B,110C records the 16-digit credit card number to the user's account, thequick card replacement program 110B, 110C may dispense the replacementcredit card from the vending facility into the user's possession.

Referring now to FIG. 4 , an operational flowchart illustrating an indexof usability establishment process 400 is depicted, according to atleast one embodiment. At 402, when a user redeems the extended claim pinnumber at a vending facility, the quick card replacement program 110A-Cidentifies possible risk factors associated with the user. Depending onthe risk factors surrounding the distribution of the replacement paymentcard, the quick card replacement program 110A-C may adjust the index ofusability for the replacement payment card accordingly. For example, ifthe quick card replacement program 110A-C determines a high risksurrounding the distribution of the replacement payment card to theuser, the quick card replacement program 110A-C may lower the index ofusability of the replacement payment card so the user may only be ableto purchase from specific vendors (e.g. gas stations or grocery stores).Possible risk factors the quick card replacement program 110A-C mayconsider are the cardholder's current location in relation to thecardholder's home location, whether the cardholder is requesting areplacement payment card due to fraudulent charges, the number of usersassociated with the payment card, and the types of goods or servicestypically purchased using the payment card (e.g. high priced items).

Then, at 404, the quick card replacement program 110A-C creates anassessment based on the possible risk factors associated with the user.Upon identifying the risk factors present when the user requests areplacement payment card, the quick card replacement program 110A-C maycreate an assessment based on all of the identified risk factors. Theassessment may assign a low risk, moderate risk, or high risk to thereplacement payment card based on the identified risk factors. Forexample, if the user is travelling on vacation when the replacementpayment card is requested, the quick card replacement program 110A-C maydetermine a high risk exists when providing the user with a replacementpayment card. Conversely, if the user is with a preconfigured distancefrom the user's home address, the quick card replacement program 110A-Cmay determine a low risk exist when providing the user with areplacement payment card.

Next, at 406, the quick card replacement program 110A-C establishes anindex of usability for a replacement payment card based on the createdassessment. The index of usability may a numerical value between 0 and 1that correlates to the amount and nature of the items that may beallowed for purchase on the replacement payment card. For example, ifthe created assessment assigns a low risk to the distribution of thereplacement payment card to the user, then the index of usabilityassigned to the replacement payment card may be close to 1 on thenumerical scale and very few, if any, restrictions may be placed on theuse of the replacement payment card. However, if the created assessmentassigns a high risk to the distribution of the replacement payment cardto the user, then the index of usability may be close to 0 on thenumerical scale and many restrictions may be placed on the use of thereplacement payment card, such as only permitting essential goods orservices to be purchased or only purchases from a specific retailer.Furthermore, the quick card replacement program 110A-C may store theestablished index of usability within a data repository, such asdatabase 116.

In at least one embodiment, if the replacement payment card is atemporary card to be utilized by the user, the index of usability maydecay over time based on the assigned risk within the createdassessment. For example, if the index of usability for a replacementpayment card correlates to a moderate risk, the index of usability mayinitially be established at 0.3 on the numerical scale. However, twodays after distribution of the replacement payment card, the index ofusability may be recalculated to 0.6. The rate of decay of the index ofusability may be based on the risk determined within the assessment.

In at least one other embodiment, the index of usability may beincreased by an individual or organization serving as a guarantor ofadditional credit or available funds for the user. For example, if theindex of usability is established at 0.6 on the numerical scale, theuser may utilize a guarantor to decrease the index of usability to 0.3thereby allowing the user to utilize the replacement payment card withfewer restrictions for a limited period of time. The index of usabilitymay be increased either remotely or locally via a connection, such asthe user placing a smartwatch within close proximity to a smartwatchbelonging to the guarantor.

In yet another embodiment, the index of usability may be conveyed to theuser through a colored icon on a display screen of a user device, suchas client computing device 102A, 102B. For example, a spherical graphicdisplayed on a smartwatch may have an orange color to indicate to theuser that the replacement payment card may only be used to buy essentialitems at specific stores or classes of stores. Furthermore, the index ofusability may be displayed as the numerical value of the index ofusability or as a color associated with the risk level used to establishthe index of usability. For example, the numerical value 0.9 may bedisplayed on the display screen of the smartphone to convey the actualvalue of the index of usability to the user.

Then, at 408, the quick card replacement program 110A-C monitors therisk associated with the replacement payment card. The quick cardreplacement program 110A-C may monitor the risk associated with thereplacement payment card by analyzing purchases made by the user and theuser's geographic location. For example, the quick card replacementprogram 110A-C may monitor whether the user purchases a high priced itemfrom a retailer not typically frequented by the user in a new geographiclocation.

Next, at 410, the quick card replacement program 110A-C modifies theindex of usability based on the risk level. If the quick cardreplacement program 110A-C determines the risk associated with thereplacement payment card exceeds a preconfigured maximum threshold, thequick card replacement program 110A-C may increase the value of theindex of usability to match the determined risk. Therefore, morerestrictions may be placed on the use of the replacement payment card.Additionally, if the quick card replacement program 110A-C determinesthe risk associated with the replacement payment card falls below apreconfigured minimum threshold, the quick card replacement program110A-C may decrease the value of the index of usability to match thedetermined risk. Therefore, fewer restriction may be placed on the useof the replacement payment card.

Referring now to FIG. 5 , a block diagram of process steps executed by auser 502, ATM 504, and a payment authorization system 118 is depicted,according to at least one embodiment. At 506, once the user 502 hasobtained an extended claim pin from the management company of thepayment card that the user 502 wishes to replace, the user 502 mayselect to receive a replacement payment card from a user interface on avending facility, such as an ATM 504. Then, at 508, the ATM 504 mayprompt the user 502 for the extended claim pin. Next, at 510, the user502 may manually input the extended claim pin by interacting with theuser interface or a dial pad associated with the ATM 504. Then, at 512,the ATM 504 may prompt the user 502 to enter a personal pin numberspecific to the user's account. For example, the user 502 may have afour-digit pin code that the user 502 may be required to enter uponexecuting a transaction at the ATM 504. Next, at 514, the user 502manually input the personal pin number associated with the user'saccount. Then, at 516, the ATM 504 transmits the extended claim pin andthe user's personal pin number to the payment and authorization system118 in order to authenticate the user's credentials. Next, at 518, thepayment and authorization system 118 may identify the authorized claimrecord associated with the card replacement request submitted by theuser 502. Then, at 520, if the authorized claim record is located, thepayment and authorization system 118 may request a pin code associatedwith the physical payment card within the ATM 504 that is to bedispensed to the user 502. For example, if the ATM 504 is issuing areplacement credit card to the user 502, the payment and authorizationsystem 118 may request the 16-digit pin number embossed upon the surfaceof the replacement credit card. Next, at 522, the ATM 504 may transmitthe pin number associated with the physical replacement card that is tobe dispensed to the user 502 to the payment and authorization system118. Then, at 524, the payment and authorization system 118 may link thetransmitted pin number to the user's account and authorize the physicalreplacement payment card for use by the user 502. Next, at 526, once thereplacement physical payment card has been link to the user's account,the ATM 504 may dispense the physical replacement payment card to theuser 502.

It may be appreciated that FIGS. 2, 3, 4, and 5 provide only anillustration of one implementation and do not imply any limitations withregard to how different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environments may be made based on designand implementation requirements.

The present invention may be a system, a method, and/or a computerprogram product at any possible technical detail level of integration.The computer program product may include a computer readable storagemedium (or media) having computer readable program instructions thereonfor causing a processor to carry out aspects of the present invention.

The computer readable storage medium can be a tangible device that canretain and store instructions for use by an instruction executiondevice. The computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but isnot limited to, an electronic storage device, a magnetic storage device,an optical storage device, an electromagnetic storage device, asemiconductor storage device, or any suitable combination of theforegoing. A non-exhaustive list of more specific examples of thecomputer readable storage medium includes the following: a portablecomputer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), aread-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROMor Flash memory), a static random access memory (SRAM), a portablecompact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), a digital versatile disk (DVD),a memory stick, a floppy disk, a mechanically encoded device such aspunch-cards or raised structures in a groove having instructionsrecorded thereon, and any suitable combination of the foregoing. Acomputer readable storage medium, as used herein, is not to be construedas being transitory signals per se, such as radio waves or other freelypropagating electromagnetic waves, electromagnetic waves propagatingthrough a waveguide or other transmission media (e.g., light pulsespassing through a fiber-optic cable), or electrical signals transmittedthrough a wire.

Computer readable program instructions described herein can bedownloaded to respective computing/processing devices from a computerreadable storage medium or to an external computer or external storagedevice via a network, for example, the Internet, a local area network, awide area network and/or a wireless network. The network may comprisecopper transmission cables, optical transmission fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers. A network adapter card or network interface in eachcomputing/processing device receives computer readable programinstructions from the network and forwards the computer readable programinstructions for storage in a computer readable storage medium withinthe respective computing/processing device.

Computer readable program instructions for carrying out operations ofthe present invention may be assembler instructions,instruction-set-architecture (ISA) instructions, machine instructions,machine dependent instructions, microcode, firmware instructions,state-setting data, configuration data for integrated circuitry, oreither source code or object code written in any combination of one ormore programming languages, including an object oriented programminglanguage such as Smalltalk, C++, or the like, and procedural programminglanguages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programminglanguages. The computer readable program instructions may executeentirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as astand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partlyon a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. Inthe latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user'scomputer through any type of network, including a local area network(LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to anexternal computer (for example, through the Internet using an InternetService Provider). In some embodiments, electronic circuitry including,for example, programmable logic circuitry, field-programmable gatearrays (FPGA), or programmable logic arrays (PLA) may execute thecomputer readable program instructions by utilizing state information ofthe computer readable program instructions to personalize the electroniccircuitry, in order to perform aspects of the present invention.

Aspects of the present invention are described herein with reference toflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus(systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of theinvention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchartillustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in theflowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented bycomputer readable program instructions.

These computer readable program instructions may be provided to aprocessor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, orother programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, suchthat the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computeror other programmable data processing apparatus, create means forimplementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or blockdiagram block or blocks. These computer readable program instructionsmay also be stored in a computer readable storage medium that can directa computer, a programmable data processing apparatus, and/or otherdevices to function in a particular manner, such that the computerreadable storage medium having instructions stored therein comprises anarticle of manufacture including instructions which implement aspects ofthe function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram blockor blocks.

The computer readable program instructions may also be loaded onto acomputer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other deviceto cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer,other programmable apparatus or other device to produce a computerimplemented process, such that the instructions which execute on thecomputer, other programmable apparatus, or other device implement thefunctions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block orblocks.

The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate thearchitecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementationsof systems, methods, and computer program products according to variousembodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in theflowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portionof instructions, which comprises one or more executable instructions forimplementing the specified logical function(s). In some alternativeimplementations, the functions noted in the blocks may occur out of theorder noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in successionmay, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks maysometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon thefunctionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of theblock diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocksin the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, can be implementedby special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specifiedfunctions or acts or carry out combinations of special purpose hardwareand computer instructions.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram 600 of internal and external components of theclient computing device 102A, 102B and the server 112 depicted in FIG. 1in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. It should beappreciated that FIG. 6 provides only an illustration of oneimplementation and does not imply any limitations with regard to theenvironments in which different embodiments may be implemented. Manymodifications to the depicted environments may be made based on designand implementation requirements.

The data processing system 602, 604 is representative of any electronicdevice capable of executing machine-readable program instructions. Thedata processing system 602, 604 may be representative of a smart phone,a computer system, PDA, or other electronic devices. Examples ofcomputing systems, environments, and/or configurations that mayrepresented by the data processing system 602, 604 include, but are notlimited to, personal computer systems, server computer systems, thinclients, thick clients, hand-held or laptop devices, multiprocessorsystems, microprocessor-based systems, network PCs, minicomputersystems, and distributed cloud computing environments that include anyof the above systems or devices.

The client computing device 102A, 102B and the server 112 may includerespective sets of internal components 602 a,b and external components604 a,b illustrated in FIG. 6 . Each of the sets of internal components602 include one or more processors 620, one or more computer-readableRAMs 622, and one or more computer-readable ROMs 624 on one or morebuses 626, and one or more operating systems 628 and one or morecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 630. The one or moreoperating systems 628, the software program 108 and the quick cardreplacement program 110A in the client computing device 102A, the quickcard replacement program 110B in the client computer 102B, and the quickcard replacement program 110C in the server 112 are stored on one ormore of the respective computer-readable tangible storage devices 630for execution by one or more of the respective processors 620 via one ormore of the respective RAMs 622 (which typically include cache memory).In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 6 , each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 630 is a magnetic disk storage device of aninternal hard drive. Alternatively, each of the computer-readabletangible storage devices 630 is a semiconductor storage device such asROM 624, EPROM, flash memory or any other computer-readable tangiblestorage device that can store a computer program and digitalinformation.

Each set of internal components 602 a,b also includes a R/W drive orinterface 632 to read from and write to one or more portablecomputer-readable tangible storage devices 638 such as a CD-ROM, DVD,memory stick, magnetic tape, magnetic disk, optical disk orsemiconductor storage device. A software program, such as the quick cardreplacement program 110A-C, can be stored on one or more of therespective portable computer-readable tangible storage devices 638, readvia the respective R/W drive or interface 632, and loaded into therespective hard drive 630.

Each set of internal components 602 a,b also includes network adaptersor interfaces 636 such as a TCP/IP adapter cards, wireless Wi-Fiinterface cards, or 3G or 4G wireless interface cards or other wired orwireless communication links. The software program 108 and the quickcard replacement program 110A in the client computing device 102A, thequick card replacement program 110B in the client computing device 102B,and the quick card replacement program 110C in the server 112 can bedownloaded to the client computing device 102A, 102B and the server 112from an external computer via a network (for example, the Internet, alocal area network or other, wide area network) and respective networkadapters or interfaces 636. From the network adapters or interfaces 636,the software program 108 and quick card replacement program 110A in theclient computing device 102A, the quick card replacement program 110B inthe client computing device 102B, and the quick card replacement program110C in the server 112 are loaded into the respective hard drive 630.The network may comprise copper wires, optical fibers, wirelesstransmission, routers, firewalls, switches, gateway computers and/oredge servers.

Each of the sets of external components 604 a,b can include a computerdisplay monitor 644, a keyboard 642, and a computer mouse 634. Externalcomponents 604 a,b can also include touch screens, virtual keyboards,touch pads, pointing devices, and other human interface devices. Each ofthe sets of internal components 602 a,b also includes device drivers 640to interface to computer display monitor 644, keyboard 642, and computermouse 634. The device drivers 640, R/W drive or interface 632, andnetwork adapter or interface 636 comprise hardware and software (storedin storage device 630 and/or ROM 624).

It is understood in advance that although this disclosure includes adetailed description on cloud computing, implementation of the teachingsrecited herein are not limited to a cloud computing environment. Rather,embodiments of the present invention are capable of being implemented inconjunction with any other type of computing environment now known orlater developed.

Cloud computing is a model of service delivery for enabling convenient,on-demand network access to a shared pool of configurable computingresources (e.g. networks, network bandwidth, servers, processing,memory, storage, applications, virtual machines, and services) that canbe rapidly provisioned and released with minimal management effort orinteraction with a provider of the service. This cloud model may includeat least five characteristics, at least three service models, and atleast four deployment models.

Characteristics are as follows:

On-demand self-service: a cloud consumer can unilaterally provisioncomputing capabilities, such as server time and network storage, asneeded automatically without requiring human interaction with theservice's provider.

Broad network access: capabilities are available over a network andaccessed through standard mechanisms that promote use by heterogeneousthin or thick client platforms (e.g., mobile phones, laptops, and PDAs).

Resource pooling: the provider's computing resources are pooled to servemultiple consumers using a multi-tenant model, with different physicaland virtual resources dynamically assigned and reassigned according todemand. There is a sense of location independence in that the consumergenerally has no control or knowledge over the exact location of theprovided resources but may be able to specify location at a higher levelof abstraction (e.g., country, state, or datacenter).

Rapid elasticity: capabilities can be rapidly and elasticallyprovisioned, in some cases automatically, to quickly scale out andrapidly released to quickly scale in. To the consumer, the capabilitiesavailable for provisioning often appear to be unlimited and can bepurchased in any quantity at any time.

Measured service: cloud systems automatically control and optimizeresource use by leveraging a metering capability at some level ofabstraction appropriate to the type of service (e.g., storage,processing, bandwidth, and active user accounts). Resource usage can bemonitored, controlled, and reported providing transparency for both theprovider and consumer of the utilized service.

Service Models are as follows:

Software as a Service (SaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto use the provider's applications running on a cloud infrastructure.The applications are accessible from various client devices through athin client interface such as a web browser (e.g., web-based e-mail).The consumer does not manage or control the underlying cloudinfrastructure including network, servers, operating systems, storage,or even individual application capabilities, with the possible exceptionof limited user-specific application configuration settings.

Platform as a Service (PaaS): the capability provided to the consumer isto deploy onto the cloud infrastructure consumer-created or acquiredapplications created using programming languages and tools supported bythe provider. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure including networks, servers, operating systems, orstorage, but has control over the deployed applications and possiblyapplication hosting environment configurations.

Infrastructure as a Service (IaaS): the capability provided to theconsumer is to provision processing, storage, networks, and otherfundamental computing resources where the consumer is able to deploy andrun arbitrary software, which can include operating systems andapplications. The consumer does not manage or control the underlyingcloud infrastructure but has control over operating systems, storage,deployed applications, and possibly limited control of select networkingcomponents (e.g., host firewalls).

Deployment Models are as follows:

Private cloud: the cloud infrastructure is operated solely for anorganization. It may be managed by the organization or a third party andmay exist on-premises or off-premises.

Community cloud: the cloud infrastructure is shared by severalorganizations and supports a specific community that has shared concerns(e.g., mission, security requirements, policy, and complianceconsiderations). It may be managed by the organizations or a third partyand may exist on-premises or off-premises.

Public cloud: the cloud infrastructure is made available to the generalpublic or a large industry group and is owned by an organization sellingcloud services.

Hybrid cloud: the cloud infrastructure is a composition of two or moreclouds (private, community, or public) that remain unique entities butare bound together by standardized or proprietary technology thatenables data and application portability (e.g., cloud bursting forload-balancing between clouds).

A cloud computing environment is service oriented with a focus onstatelessness, low coupling, modularity, and semantic interoperability.At the heart of cloud computing is an infrastructure comprising anetwork of interconnected nodes.

Referring now to FIG. 7 , illustrative cloud computing environment 50 isdepicted. As shown, cloud computing environment 50 comprises one or morecloud computing nodes 100 with which local computing devices used bycloud consumers, such as, for example, personal digital assistant (PDA)or cellular telephone 54A, desktop computer 54B, laptop computer 54C,and/or automobile computer system 54N may communicate. Nodes 100 maycommunicate with one another. They may be grouped (not shown) physicallyor virtually, in one or more networks, such as Private, Community,Public, or Hybrid clouds as described hereinabove, or a combinationthereof. This allows cloud computing environment 50 to offerinfrastructure, platforms and/or software as services for which a cloudconsumer does not need to maintain resources on a local computingdevice. It is understood that the types of computing devices 54A-N shownin FIG. 7 are intended to be illustrative only and that computing nodes100 and cloud computing environment 50 can communicate with any type ofcomputerized device over any type of network and/or network addressableconnection (e.g., using a web browser).

Referring now to FIG. 8 a set of functional abstraction layers 800provided by cloud computing environment 50 (FIG. 7 ) is shown. It shouldbe understood in advance that the components, layers, and functionsshown in FIG. 8 are intended to be illustrative only and embodiments ofthe invention are not limited thereto. As depicted, the following layersand corresponding functions are provided:

Hardware and software layer 60 includes hardware and softwarecomponents. Examples of hardware components include: mainframes 61; RISC(Reduced Instruction Set Computer) architecture based servers 62;servers 63; blade servers 64; storage devices 65; and networks andnetworking components 66. In some embodiments, software componentsinclude network application server software 67 and database software 68.

Virtualization layer 70 provides an abstraction layer from which thefollowing examples of virtual entities may be provided: virtual servers71; virtual storage 72; virtual networks 73, including virtual privatenetworks; virtual applications and operating systems 74; and virtualclients 75.

In one example, management layer 80 may provide the functions describedbelow. Resource provisioning 81 provides dynamic procurement ofcomputing resources and other resources that are utilized to performtasks within the cloud computing environment. Metering and Pricing 82provide cost tracking as resources are utilized within the cloudcomputing environment, and billing or invoicing for consumption of theseresources. In one example, these resources may comprise applicationsoftware licenses. Security provides identity verification for cloudconsumers and tasks, as well as protection for data and other resources.User portal 83 provides access to the cloud computing environment forconsumers and system administrators. Service level management 84provides cloud computing resource allocation and management such thatrequired service levels are met. Service Level Agreement (SLA) planningand fulfillment 85 provide pre-arrangement for, and procurement of,cloud computing resources for which a future requirement is anticipatedin accordance with an SLA.

Workloads layer 90 provides examples of functionality for which thecloud computing environment may be utilized. Examples of workloads andfunctions which may be provided from this layer include: mapping andnavigation 91; software development and lifecycle management 92; virtualclassroom education delivery 93; data analytics processing 94;transaction processing 95; and payment card replacement 96. Payment cardreplacement 96 may relate to validating a user's identity, providing thelocation of a nearby vending facility to the validated user, linkingdata associated with a physical replacement payment card to thevalidated user's account, and dispensing the physical replacementpayment card from the vending facility to the user.

The descriptions of the various embodiments of the present inventionhave been presented for purposes of illustration, but are not intendedto be exhaustive or limited to the embodiments disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope of the describedembodiments. The terminology used herein was chosen to best explain theprinciples of the embodiments, the practical application or technicalimprovement over technologies found in the marketplace, or to enableothers of ordinary skill in the art to understand the embodimentsdisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A processor-implemented method comprising:establishing an index of usability for a replacement physical paymentcard based on a created risk assessment, wherein a value of an index ofusability associated with the replacement physical payment cardcorrelates to a plurality of spending restrictions placed on a userpurchase power with the replacement physical payment card, and whereinthe value of the index of usability decays over a period of time basedon the risk assessment; assigning one or more spending restrictions tothe replacement physical payment card based on the established index ofusability associated with a user submitting the replacement physicalpayment card request; and dispensing the replacement physical paymentcard at a vending facility with the determined one or more spendingrestrictions upon the user entering the extended claim pin number. 2.The method of claim 1, further comprising: monitoring a risk levelassociated with the replacement physical payment card while the userutilizes the replacement physical payment card; and modifying theestablished index of usability based on the monitored risk level.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the plurality of risk factors comprises acurrent location of the user in relation to a home location of the user,whether the replacement physical payment card was requested due to aplurality of fraudulent activity, at least one other user beingassociated with an account associated with the replacement physicalpayment card, and a type and a value of a plurality of goods or aplurality of services previously purchased using the replacementphysical payment card.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the createdrisk assessment assigns a risk level to the replacement physical paymentcard, and wherein the risk level is selected from a group consisting ofa low risk level, a moderate risk level, and a high risk level.
 5. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the index of usability is a numerical valuebetween zero and one, and wherein, in response to the created riskassessment having a high risk level, the index of usability is anumerical value closer to zero than to one and a greater number of theplurality of spending restrictions ae associated with the replacementphysical payment card, and wherein, in response to the created riskassessment having a low risk level, the index of usability is anumerical value closer to one than to zero and a lower number of theplurality of spending restrictions are associated with the replacementphysical payment card.
 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the value ofthe index of usability is displayed on a display screen of a userdevice, and wherein the value of the index of usability is displayed asa numerical value or a color associated with a risk level associatedwith the created risk assessment.
 7. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: generating a graphical user interface on a user device thatdisplays an icon in a color associated with the value of the index ofusability.
 8. A computer system comprising: one or more processors, oneor more computer-readable memories, one or more computer-readabletangible storage medium, and program instructions stored on at least oneof the one or more non-transitory storage medium for execution by atleast one of the one or more processors via at least one of the one ormore memories, wherein the computer system is configured to:establishing an index of usability for a replacement physical paymentcard based on a created risk assessment, wherein a value of an index ofusability associated with the replacement physical payment cardcorrelates to a plurality of spending restrictions placed on a userpurchase power with the replacement physical payment card, and whereinthe value of the index of usability decays over a period of time basedon the risk assessment; assigning one or more spending restrictions tothe replacement physical payment card based on the established index ofusability associated with a user submitting the replacement physicalpayment card request; and dispensing the replacement physical paymentcard at a vending facility with the determined one or more spendingrestrictions upon the user entering the extended claim pin number. 9.The computer system of claim 8, further comprising: monitoring a risklevel associated with the replacement physical payment card while theuser utilizes the replacement physical payment card; and modifying theestablished index of usability based on the monitored risk level. 10.The computer system of claim 8, wherein the plurality of risk factorscomprises a current location of the user in relation to a home locationof the user, whether the replacement physical payment card was requesteddue to a plurality of fraudulent activity, at least one other user beingassociated with an account associated with the replacement physicalpayment card, and a type and a value of a plurality of goods or aplurality of services previously purchased using the replacementphysical payment card.
 11. The computer system of claim 8, wherein thecreated risk assessment assigns a risk level to the replacement physicalpayment card, and wherein the risk level is selected from a groupconsisting of a low risk level, a moderate risk level, and a high risklevel.
 12. The computer system of claim 8, wherein the index ofusability is a numerical value between zero and one, and wherein, inresponse to the created risk assessment having a high risk level, theindex of usability is a numerical value closer to zero than to one and agreater number of the plurality of spending restrictions are associatedwith the replacement physical payment card, and wherein, in response tothe created risk assessment having a low risk level, the index ofusability is a numerical value closer to one than to zero and a lowernumber of the plurality spending of restrictions are associated with thereplacement physical payment card.
 13. The computer system of claim 8,wherein the value of the index of usability is displayed on a displayscreen of a user device, and wherein the value of the index of usabilityis displayed as a numerical value or a color associated with a risklevel associated with the created risk assessment.
 14. The computersystem of claim 8, further comprising: generating a graphical userinterface on a user device that displays an icon in a color associatedwith the value of the index of usability.
 15. A computer program productcomprising: one or more non-transitory computer-readable tangiblestorage media and program instructions stored on at least one of the oneor more non-transitory tangible storage media, the program instructionsexecutable by a processor capable of performing a method, the methodcomprising: establishing an index of usability for a replacementphysical payment card based on a created risk assessment, wherein avalue of an index of usability associated with the replacement physicalpayment card correlates to a plurality of spending restrictions placedon a user purchase power with the replacement physical payment card, andwherein the value of the index of usability decays over a period of timebased on the risk assessment; assigning one or more spendingrestrictions to the replacement physical payment card based on theestablished index of usability associated with a user submitting thereplacement physical payment card request; and dispensing thereplacement physical payment card at a vending facility with thedetermined one or more spending restrictions upon the user entering theextended claim pin number.
 16. The computer program product of claim 15,further comprising: monitoring a risk level associated with thereplacement physical payment card while the user utilizes thereplacement physical payment card; and modifying the established indexof usability based on the monitored risk level.
 17. The computer programproduct of claim 15, wherein the plurality of risk factors comprises acurrent location of the user in relation to a home location of the user,whether the replacement physical payment card was requested due to aplurality of fraudulent activity, at least one other user beingassociated with an account associated with the replacement physicalpayment card, and a type and a value of a plurality of goods or aplurality of services previously purchased using the replacementphysical payment card.
 18. The computer program product of claim 15,wherein the created risk assessment assigns a risk level to thereplacement physical payment card, and wherein the risk level isselected from a group consisting of a low risk level, a moderate risklevel, and a high risk level.
 19. The computer program product of claim15, wherein the index of usability is a numerical value between zero andone, and wherein, in response to the created risk assessment having ahigh risk level, the index of usability is a numerical value closer tozero than to one and a greater number of the plurality of spendingrestrictions are associated with the replacement physical payment card,and wherein, in response to the created risk assessment having a lowrisk level, the index of usability is a numerical value closer to onethan to zero and a lower number of the plurality of spendingrestrictions are associated with the replacement physical payment card.20. The computer program product of claim 15, further comprising:generating a graphical user interface on a user device that displays anicon in a color associated with the value of the index of usability.